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Not Return Void
For as long as I can remember, Lehr and I have prayed that our kids would have compassion for those around them. We are both extremely blessed in the ‘necessities’ department, and we want for nothing. Food, shelter, transportation….for the better part of our lives, our needs have been met. Our kids fall into that same category. And because such a blessing is their norm, we want to make sure Eli and Maddux understand that not everyone is so fortunate at all times in their lives. So we do things as a family to foster that, but mostly we pray. Especially for Eli. While he is as sweet as the day is long, he is not one that always shows compassion. Maddux will be the first to help someone who is sad or hurt or in need, but Eli often doesn’t show the same sympathy. So we pray. And pray. And pray. And just when I think that maybe God just didn’t give him the compassion gene, He shows us that He is in Eli’s heart.
A few weeks ago we were witness to Eli observing a homeless man searching for food and drink. Eli asked questions and when he found out the man had no water of his own, made it his mission to help people around him who didn’t have water (or food or money). The huge heart that was shown to us was no doubt God’s way of showing us a glimpse of the harvest he is planting in Eli’s heart. So we continue to pray. And pray. And pray.
I pray that we all have a heart of compassion. I find I have become jaded toward the needs around me. The man beside the road with the will work for food is a conman, or the charity you give to takes more than they give. It is hard to be wise in our world full of people who lie cheat and steal. Even overseas you see beggars on the street and you are cautioned against giving to them for one reason or another. Prayer is the answer and listening to the still small voice of God for direction.